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Women and girls represent half of the world's population, and therefore half of its potential. Women's participation in diplomacy has enormous benefits. Their leadership style, expertise and priorities broaden the perspective of the issues addressed and the quality of the results.
The above was stressed by Gender Equality Commissioner Ms. Josie Christodoulou in her speech today at the Conference of the Department of International and European Studies of the University of Piraeus entitled "Women and Diplomacy".
The Commissioner stressed that female leadership and the full, equal and meaningful participation of women at all levels of decision-making is essential. This, she noted, should not just be an aspirational goal, but a strategic pursuit that can strengthen a state's foreign policy and advance its national interest.
After noting the under-representation of women in diplomacy worldwide, the Commissioner said that this unbalanced environment is largely the result of a strong and entrenched perception that "masculinity" is a valued trait in international politics. In many parts of the world, she added, power structures within diplomacy reinforce discriminatory practices, making it difficult for women to reach leadership positions
Christodoulou went on to say that global economic, health and regional insecurity caused by similar crises affect women and men in different ways, with women being the most affected. Therefore, the absence of women from crisis management processes has a negative impact on their lives. Therefore, she stressed, the absence of women from the decision-making process in foreign policy is a major obstacle to the achievement of gender equality and equity.
The Commissioner noted that in Cyprus gender mainstreaming in diplomacy started in 2019, on the initiative of President Christodoulides in his capacity as Foreign Minister at the time, and over the last year it has been actively strengthened. Today, he added, leadership positions in important directorates of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as in diplomatic missions abroad are held by women. In addition, Cyprus has contributed to international organisations working for women's empowerment and rights through development policies and bilateral projects.
For the Commissioner's speech in English click here.
(NYAN/EATH)
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